The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 79

Baring soul for flag Reformed segregationist changes his mind and his vote Sea Rene Kemp was among a group of rural white Democrats who delivered the crucial votes last week to change the Georgia flag. Kemp says hit stand may cost him some votes and even family relationships and friendships. .1 2001 GEORGIA FHKT ATTTEF Jjj.ll walk-on. But he was so thin that coaches recommended he spend time at Georgia Military College to beef up. Back at UGA for spring practice in 1954, he said he broke a hand and decided to i join the Army serving the next three years in Germany.

Kemp returned to UGA and was finishing law school when the first two black students enrolled. The turmoil largely passed him by, he said, because he was busy working several part-time jobs to fund bis education and provide for his new wife and daughter. After hanging his shingle in Hinesville, Kemp turned to politics. He said he had been moved as a child after hearing Gov. Eugene Talmadge promise to improve the life of poor Georgians.

"I told my mother that pontics is what I wanted to do because it was a way to help the poor folks," he said. Kemp served in the state House from 1977 to 1982, where his most significant legislation allowed courts to seize the profits of racketeers and corrupt organizations. He ran for Congress in 1982, losing in the Democratic primary. RICH ADDICKS Staff (D-Augusta), a major player, to change the flag, said Kemp's speech gave some waivering senators confidence to vote for it; the measure passed 34-22, Democratic leaders kept the debate focused on the possible economic downsides of not changing the flag, and Kemp was among just a few voices who mentioned race in their speeches. "His was a soul-baring speech that needed to be done," Walker said.

"I think we needed that cleansing. I think Rene set the atmosphere in which the flag was changed." Staff writer Kathey frutt contributed to this article. handcuffing the blacks and the poor people. They'll run on you." Kemp said he was misquoted and that he asked that his hands be cuffed in front because of back pain. He said he told the officer that his treatment by police made him understand why blacks and the poor would try to escape.

Shipman, the NAACP chapter head, said the incident is history. "If he said it, he deserves to be forgiven because his actions don't say that," Shipman said. "I'm more concerned about what he does, rather than what he says. He's been a good senator and he's represented all the people." Sen, Charles Walker Kemp was elected to the Senate in 1992, and ran smack into then-Gov. Zell Miller's request to change the state flag.

"I told the governor that he could move the Gold Dome to Brunswick, and I still would not vote to change the state flag," Kemp said, turning the cigar in his mouth and grinning. "It shows how much you can change your mind in a short period of time." In October 1996, Kemp made headlines following his arrest on traffic charges in Gwinnett County. The arresting officer reported that Kemp asked not to be handcuffed, then quoted Kemp as saying: "I can understand By David Pendered dpenderedajc.com Sen. Rene Kemp just wanted the flag issue to go away. He never intended to join the group of rural white Democrats who delivered the crucial votes last week to change the Georgia flag.

"Most white members of the General Assembly were hoping the flag would not come up this session, next session or ever," he said. "I hoped it would die a natural death." Kemp (D-Hinesville) wonders now whether his vote to change the flag, and the deeply personal speech he gave beforehand, will spell a natural death for his good relations with family and friends. He hopes not, because he thinks he found the key open their minds to see that changing the flag is the right thing to do. "There are some people who told me they would never vote for me again if I voted to change the flag," Kemp said. "There are members of my family I've not communicated with." While friends and family may believe he caved to "political pressures or financial pressures" he said he was ultimately per-suaded by research into the 1956 vote that put the Confederate emblem on the state banner.

Kemp said he was stunned to learn that the flag was the most visible remnant of a defiant Legislature 45 years ago that he said passed nearly 20 segregation laws. Segregated state parks and bus stations for intrastate passengers were created, and any peace officer who failed to enforce the laws was made liable to forfeit all and other benefits, according to bills Kemp researched. More shocking to Kemp, 65, was his realization that he would have voted for those laws. Kemp buried an unlighted cigar deep in his jowl and said he suddenly understood that had made him an unwitting segregationist This is just a way of life we were brought up with," Kemp said. "It was accepted by most all good Georgians, who considered themselves Christians and good-meaning Georgians.

"When I started reading and finding out what happened during the 1956 session, I realized that deep down inside I was a segregationist, because I would have done whatever was necessary to enforce the segregation laws of the state of Georgia in 1956. And I would have voted to change the state flag." The Rev. J.C Shipman, head of the Liberty County NAACP, said he understands Kemp's outlook. Both men are in their 60s and grew up about 60 miles apart in the frontier of post-Depression, southeast Georgia. "He grew up just like I did during segregation," Shipman said.

"That's what the times were and it was the law. It's changed now and I'm glad he's one of those who decided to change. It takes courage for a man to say it's time to change." Kemp probably can win reelection because he has enough biracial support to offset the loss of any voter angered by the flag vote, said Charles Bullock, a political scientist at the University of Georgia. Kemp started his journey toward his compelling speech Tuesday from a background of hardscrabble poverty in Swains-boro. His father died when he was 7, and his mother provided for the family through her garden and by selling Avon products to black women, often allowing them to pay over time.

Young Kemp delivered newspapers in the poorer parts of town. Kemp, who loved playing football and basketball, went to the University of Georgia and said he joined the all-white team as a Share your Lows ulthFBSE a long, distanced WHAFS HAPPENING IN THE GENERAL ASSECIY Some key legislation this session has been introduced on a range of topics. This sampling of proposals can vary each week depending on Digital Choice' I 1 bill status. The General Assembly online: www.state.ga.us STATUS PROSPECTS II I I II 1 Ki SIR I $RR $7R ll I -I nuiiuuu, 1 HB18: Compromise proposal Passed House I Signed into based on bill introduced by Rep. 94-82.

Passed law by Tyrone Brooks (D-ArJanta) would Senate 34-22. governor redesign the state flag, Wednesday, substantially reducing the size of the controversial Confederate battle emblem. 400 700 SRI Would nnuire ud to 40 hours I Passed Senate: Good unanimously, now in House of driver training for new licensees, 600 1 100011500: Wd 1 600 1 100011500! set 10 p.m.-to-ba.m. anving curfew for 16-year-oldsmidnight-to-6 a.m. for 17-year-olds, permit one unrelated passenger for 16-and 17-year-old drivers and require up to 12 months license suspension for repeated convictions of movine violations.

I I HB385: Bans 16-year-old drivers Fair i House Motor Vehicles Committee Hum 10 iiiouu wiuuuoa miiiom an adult is in the vehicle. Also would 1 lower legal blood alcohol level to 1 .08 for automatic DUts. exoand Guy one Nokia 51851 get one FRGG! 1 open container law to include all imhir.la nassenrars. increase rage. (with annual agreement) 1 Good Senate, Judiciary Subcommittee CHILD PROSTITUTION SB33SB34SB35: Would raise the penally for pimping children from a misdemeanor to a felony, impose up to 20 years in prison for those convicted, raise fines and give courts the power to seize assets used in the business.

otn in. Good DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SB57: Would create statewide registry for temporary protective orders to assist police when responding to domestic violence calls. Senate Judiciary Committee -4- Fair BEER ALCOHOL CONTENT HB224: Would more than double the allowable alcohol content in beer, which would permit greater variety of international beer to be sold in Georgia. i Passed House Regulated Beverages Committee I Mai Location: (MM, MM. Suit! Now Open Sundays ConvnuntoBttoiBi StofMi fmm Inn Mai-fil Sal Sun 12S) NOirm FONT MU.

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